On May 25, 2025, Alex Palou achieved a defining moment in his career by winning the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, finally silencing persistent doubts over his ability to win on oval tracks. This victory, set against the backdrop of the world’s most prestigious open-wheel race, marked Palou’s first oval triumph after 15 wins on road and street courses, firmly establishing him as a dominant force in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/motorsports/indycar/”>IndyCar. His success unfolded amid intense scrutiny, as critics had long questioned whether he could translate his rapid rise into consistent oval victories, a pivotal benchmark in the sport.
Palou’s ascent to becoming the IndyCar GOAT reflects a journey from relative anonymity in Japanese Super Formula and Dale Coyne Racing to an elite driver with Chip Ganassi Racing. His trailblazing performance has rewritten narratives and challenged established legends, including his consistent rivalry with Scott Dixon and other top-tier competitors. This milestone win not only validates Palou’s skill but reinvigorates discussions about his place among the greatest in IndyCar history.
Early Career Struggles and Breakthrough Moments
Palou’s IndyCar debut in 2021 with Chip Ganassi Racing immediately impressed the racing world; he claimed victory at Barber Motorsports Park in his debut season, signaling his potential to dominate. Despite that early success, questions arose following his 17th-place finish at St. Petersburg and the demanding oval races at Texas Motor Speedway, where many doubted his ability to sustain championship-winning form across a varied schedule.
His early years included a near-miss at the Indy 500 in 2021, where he led with only five laps remaining before Helio Castroneves tied a record by denying him the victory. This near-triumph foreshadowed Palou’s growing reputation as a genuine star within the series.
Throughout his early tenure, Palou’s emergence was often contrasted with other rising stars like Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood, both of whom secured oval victories, a feat Palou initially lacked. His growing tally of victories and competitive showings on diverse tracks, however, increasingly reflected his prowess, moving skeptical voices to reconsider his potential.
The Oval Enigma: Overcoming the Last Barrier
Despite collecting multiple championships—three by 2024—and fourteen wins by then, Palou remained elusive on ovals, a rarity for a driver of his caliber. The media frequently spotlighted this discrepancy, emphasizing his lack of an oval win even as he dominated other venues.
This gap was underscored by his distinction as the only three-time IndyCar champion without an oval win, an uncomfortable statistic for many analysts and fans. Comparisons to Simon Pagenaud, who had previously won the championship before his oval victory, provided some consolation but did not quell doubts entirely.
The 2025 Indy 500 victory ended this prolonged open question in spectacular fashion. Palou acknowledged that the win was primarily a personal validation rather than a rebuke to critics, asserting,
“Not for them. It’s more for me, just for being like, ‘Hey Alex, yeah you’re capable of doing it,’ right? I never have the motivation of telling somebody that ‘I won it and you told me that I would never win it.’”
—Alex Palou
This milestone demonstrated that Palou’s remarkable career had reached new heights and dispelled any lingering myths about his oval limitations.
Conquering Short Ovals: Iowa Speedway and Beyond
Palou’s prowess on short ovals made a clear statement during the July 2025 doubleheader at Iowa Speedway. He dominated the second race by leading 194 of 275 laps from pole position, earning a significant victory and reinforcing his versatility across different racing surfaces. This win was particularly notable as Chip Ganassi Racing had not celebrated a victory at Iowa since 2010, and even Scott Dixon, the team’s all-time winningest driver, had never won there.
Over the previous two years, Palou amassed a series-high 12 wins, six of which came at tracks where Dixon had yet to achieve victory. This trend underscored his ability to capitalize on opportunities and outperform even the most established competitors across varied conditions.
The 2022 Season: A Challenging Interlude
The 2022 season marked a rare blemish on Palou’s otherwise stellar tenure with Ganassi, largely due to contract disputes that overshadowed his on-track performance. Seeking to exit his deal with Chip Ganassi Racing to join McLaren’s Formula 1 program, Palou became embroiled in legal battles that ultimately saw him remain with Ganassi for 2023.
This turmoil correlated with a down year in which his victory tally was minimal, and doubts resurfaced about whether his 2021 championship was a fluke. He spent much of the season fighting for mid-table championship positions, echoing the struggles of Ganassi teammates who had preceded him in the No. 10 car following Dario Franchitti‘s 2013 retirement.
Reflecting on this period, Palou admitted,
“I think it’s just a lot of small steps that I would not have tried, so the only thing, obviously I would try and avoid having any bumps with the team with contracts, but I think that’s part of me, That’s part of who I am today as well, probably, mentally.”
—Alex Palou
This experience appears to have contributed to his maturity and resilience, helping fuel his subsequent dominance.
Reasserting Dominance: Championships and Records from 2023 to 2025
Palou’s return to form in 2023 was decisive; he won four of five races between May and July and secured the championship with a race to spare. This achievement was significant as it matched feats last accomplished by Dan Wheldon and Sébastien Bourdais during their respective eras but had been rare in modern IndyCar history.
In 2025, Palou surpassed those marks by clinching his fourth championship with two races remaining, showcasing unparalleled consistency and strength throughout the season. His commanding 30.3812-second victory at Laguna Seca in 2021 remains one of the largest winning margins in North American open-wheel racing history, demonstrating his ability to dominate on-track comprehensively.
Palou currently holds the season‘s modern record with eight wins, a total not reached in IndyCar since 2007 and only previously matched by legends such as A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Al Unser. His ability to combine consistent finishes with outright victories defies the notion that his successes are solely the product of a cautious, championship-focused approach.
Rivalries and Respect: Palou vs. Scott Dixon
Alex Palou’s career is often measured in comparison to Scott Dixon, widely regarded as the sport’s GOAT due to his 59 wins and six championships. Dixon’s sustained excellence since his 2003 debut makes him a benchmark for greatness in IndyCar.
Despite Dixon’s enduring competitiveness and recent strong performances, Palou has significantly outpaced him over the past five years. Whereas Dixon has endured his longest championship drought in recent history, Palou has captured four titles and the highlighted Indy 500 win.
The competitive environment is amplified by the caliber of teammates both have had. Dixon’s career included stints alongside champions such as Dario Franchitti, who claimed multiple titles and Indy 500 victories. Similarly, Dixon’s current teammate is Palou, whose rise has redefined the team‘s achievements, notably at tracks like Iowa where Dixon has not found success.
The comparison cements Palou’s elite status, as overcoming a driver of Dixon’s résumé helps validate his claim to IndyCar’s greatest driver discussions.
Evaluating Palou’s Place Among IndyCar Greats
The debate surrounding the greatest IndyCar driver of all time involves multiple factors, including era, equipment, and competition. Despite ongoing discussions, Palou’s accomplishments at just 28 years old are staggering—even compared to legends like Dixon, Foyt, and Andretti.
Critics have sometimes attributed Palou’s wins to superior equipment at Chip Ganassi Racing, which has been one of the dominant teams for over a decade. However, analysis reveals that the No. 10 car, which Palou drives, had seen limited success before his arrival. Previous drivers, including Tony Kanaan, Ed Jones, and Felix Rosenqvist, produced far fewer wins despite competing with Dixon as a teammate.
One former Ganassi competitor controversially suggested,
“If he went to another team, he wouldn’t succeed as much.”
—Unnamed former Ganassi driver
While not dismissive of Palou’s talents, this remark acknowledges the challenges inherent in IndyCar wins, even for the most capable drivers. The series is renowned for parity, with as many as nine or ten teams capable of contending for podiums on any weekend.
Dominance and Consistency: Palou’s Signature Traits
Palou’s championship-winning approach blends exceptional racecraft with strategic intelligence. Despite some commentary labeling his style as “unnecessarily aggressive,” especially during the 2025 Portland International Raceway where he battled for position post-title, this reflects his innate competitiveness. After securing the championship early, Palou continued to push, emphasizing racing to win rather than settling into conservative finishes.
His season in 2025 alone features a record-tying number of victories, surpassing performances by many predecessors. He remains far ahead in total points and wins compared to his closest rivals, including Pato O’Ward and Will Power, underpinning his dominance across both road courses and ovals.
Palou’s mindset echoes a fiercely competitive spirit, unphased by external noise or media narratives. This has contributed to his unparalleled consistency while retaining the ability to convert opportunities into race wins and championships.
Oval Championship Pursuit and Remaining Season Goals
After finally winning the Indy 500 and bolstering his short oval résumé with a victory at Iowa Speedway, Palou sets his sights on clinching his first oval-specific championship title in 2025. With two remaining oval races — at Milwaukee Mile and Nashville Superspeedway — he trails Pato O’Ward by just a single point in the oval standings, setting the stage for a gripping conclusion.
Palou expressed optimism about his oval form, stating,
“It feels amazing, and I feel more comfortable.”
—Alex Palou
This sentiment stems from improvements gained via testing and racing experience, particularly at Iowa, which Palou credits with increasing his confidence. His consistent finishes, including eighth at Gateway and fifth early in Iowa’s doubleheader, affirm his growing affinity for ovals.
Despite O’Ward’s historical strength on ovals and competitive finishes this season, Palou’s performance suggests he could seize the oval crown, further reinforcing his status in the sport.
Historic Feats in Lead and Points Standing Durations
Palou’s command over the 2025 IndyCar season is underscored by him holding the championship lead without interruption since June of the previous year. This wire-to-wire leadership during an Indy 500-winning season has not been achieved since Johnny Rutherford in 1980, cementing the exceptional nature of Palou’s campaign.
Moreover, Palou’s ability to clinch championships early while maintaining relentless competitiveness sets him apart from contemporaries and predecessors alike. His career trajectory points toward more milestones as he continues to challenge historic records in race wins and titles.
Looking Ahead: The Final Two Races of 2025
The 2025 IndyCar season culminates with decisive oval races at Milwaukee Mile on August 24 and Nashville Superspeedway on August 31. Both events, broadcast live on Fox, will be critical for determining the ultimate champion in the oval standings and extending Palou’s growing legacy.
With recent victories and points advantages, Alex Palou is positioned to finish the season not only as the overall champion but potentially as the first driver in decades to add an oval championship to his growing list of accolades. His sustained excellence signals a redefining era in IndyCar racing, where he now stands as the undeniable GOAT contender.